From Datèqui, with A Vengeance

“For many years, the man, only known as ‘Earth’s Guardian’ has terrorized our lands, General,” said a man, sitting in a leather chair that was placed behind a desk, filled with pictures of a young man covered by the clothes he wore. “I want you to ensure that his presence is eliminated from this world. Do you understand, General Taea?” continued the man, wearing a suit that had been tailored by a fine tailor. The dim lighting within the room flickered, casting strange shadows upon the walls.

“I understand, Sir. I’ll take care of this menace,” said a girl, who was standing in front of the desk the man was sat at. The man nodded, “Good… you may go, now... but be warned; he has already done great damage to this Empire’s forces, single-handedly. I’d hate to see another of our finest lose their life.” General Taea nodded, as she left the room, closing the door behind her. “She shows much injustice to the Empire, you know?” said a mysterious voice, echoing from the shadows of the room. “Why do you think I sent her on such a dangerous expedition?” said the man at the desk, in an arrogant tone. “Ah, forgive me for making it seem you did not know,” said the voice from the shadows, as a figure began to emerge.

“Ganik, why are there so many of these people in my armies? You’d think they would be grateful for being able to serve such a noble purpose,” said the man sat at the desk, to the man who had emerged from the shadows of the room. The man, known as Ganik, suddenly stopped, and looked down at the man sat at the desk, saying, in his deep tone, “It’s because they know the truth about you, Lord. They know you are the one destroying the villages, and remain in your armies to corrupt your council from within. This is why they must be silenced; once and for all.”

The man sighed, as he shook his head, and placed it upon the palm of his hand, “But I know of how to end such a problem, so that it will never happen, again,” continued Ganik. The man at the desk suddenly became interested in what Ganik had said. “You do? Please, tell me, so that I may rest, tonight,” he asked, as he stood up from the desk. As he did so, the sound of a sword being relieved of its sheath echoed through the room. The man froze, as Ganik said, “Very well… then you’ll need to die!” Suddenly, all that could be heard was silence, as the blade Ganik had drawn from its sheath sliced through the neck of the man.

“I pray that you sleep well… Sir,” said Ganik, as he walked back into the shadows, vanishing, almost as mysteriously as he arrived.

“Lady Taea!” shouted the voice of a young man, who had appeared in the doorway of her room, dressed in silver-plated armour. His hair was blonde, and in a fairly messy state, as he held his helmet under his arm. “What’s the matter, Iida?” asked General Taea, as she grabbed her sword and fastened the sheath to her waist. “I heard that you were going after the ‘Earth’s Guardian’, this time. I wanted to come with you, and help you out,” he said, as he held his sword in his left hand.

General Taea shook her head, and said, “You do know this guy is dangerous, right?” Her question had obviously no effect upon the young knight, as he said, “Of course I know! Why do you think I want to come and help you?” He was obviously determined to follow her wherever she went, and rather than say no to him, she nodded, saying, “Fine, you can come, just promise me that you won’t get into any trouble, okay?” Iida nodded, as he quickly fastened his sheath to his waist, following General Taea to the stables, to collect the horses they would use to go to the village the ‘Earth’s Guardian’ was last seen.

“Make sure you get a fast one, Iida. We want to get there, as soon as possible,” said General Taea. He seemed far too excited for an expedition that could mean the end of their lives, yet it seemed to fill her with confidence, to see that such a young warrior had such charisma. After they had acquired their horses, they set towards the village, just outside of the main Empire’s lands.

“Sir, your lunch is ready,” said a voice from the other side of the room, of which the man, who had talked to General Taea, resided. The door slowly opened, as the soldier walked into the room. He looked around, yet saw nothing. The soldier walked over to the desk, and placed the tray of food upon the desk. Curious, he peered over the desk, to see a body lying on the ground, covered in blood. Startled at this, the solder dashed towards the door, and grabbed the knight that stood guard of the room.

“Quickly! Who was last to enter this room! The lord has been slain!” yelled the soldier, as the knight said, “What? Impossible! The only one to enter this room was Lady Taea!” Realizing that the general was the only one he saw enter, and leave the room, he rushed to the halls, to tell the other knights of what happened, and to gather their forces. General Taea was their only target.

“Hmm… seems the Kingdom of Datèqui have stepped up their patrols. Those two definitely aren’t like the other three I’ve fought,” said a man, wearing a dark cloak. He held his hand upon the hilt of his sword, as he began to advance through the bushes. Suddenly, he jumped out, in front of the knights’ horses, startling them and causing them to throw their riders off, and onto the floor, with a great thud. Struggling to gain their footing, and stand from their fall, General Taea and Iida drew their swords, prepared to fight this sudden surprise attack that had fallen upon them.

“Tell me… would you two happen to be looking for me, ‘Earth’s Guardian’?” asked the cloaked man, as he drew two small daggers. General Taea and Iida didn’t say a word, as the man said, “Well, I’m sorry to say, but I’m going to have to ensure you don’t get me, like I had to with the others that came for me.” The man suddenly rushed at the two knights, who hardly had any time to react, only just managing to block the daggers from striking a blow upon their flesh.

Jumping back, the man said, “Well, I’m impressed. You two are pretty quick.” He then rushed forward, as he saw several horses appear behind the two knights. “Hmm… I see you brought reinforcements, huh?” General Taea and Iida then turned around to see the horses charge towards them, as mounted archers fired several arrows at General Taea. “No!” shouted Iida, as he jumped in front of the arrows that were coming towards her, taking each arrow that was fired at her.

Iida collapsed to the ground, the arrows, pierced through both his armour, and his flesh, as he laid there, blood seeping from his wounds. General Taea, with tears swelling in her eyes, fell beside him, picking his wounded body up, off of the ground. “L-lady… Taea… I’m sorry… I didn’t listen to you… back at the Capital…” Those words suddenly made General Taea shake her head at Iida; “Iida… No… you’ll be all right. I’m not going to let you die here!”

“P-please, Lady Taea… we both know… I’ll not make it out alive…” These words coming from the young knight only upset General Taea even more, as one of the mounted knights fired more arrows, in their direction. Taea grabbed the sword Iida had dropped, and deflected the arrows, almost effortlessly, as rage was now filling her soul. “I’m… Glad I was able… to protect you… Lady…” Silence fell upon General Taea, as Iida’s body became lifeless. General Taea looked at the ground, as the cloaked man rushed up to her. “Looks like we’ll both have trouble if we stay here. I’ll grab the boy’s body, so that you can give him a proper burial, but we have to leave; now.”

Reluctantly, General Taea agreed, as the ‘Earth’s Guardian’ picked up the lifeless body of Iida, and both vanished into the bushes along the road. They had escaped, but with a grave loss hanging over the head of General Taea.

Once they had found a clearing, General Taea buried her fellow knight, with tears still in her eyes. She could not believe what had suddenly happened in front of her, and yet, it had happened. “Don’t worry, Iida… I’ll avenge you… even if I am to die in the process,” she said, clenching her fist, as the sun began to set.